Tuesday, 28 September 2010

The days are colder, the nights are drawing in... it's that time of year again. And what better way to spend your evenings than with a good drink and a good book!

October 1st and 2nd this year are the dates for the ever popular Bo'ness Real Ale festival at the Town Hall. And this year, the festival is celebrating its 10th birthday! The beers have been chosen, and the comemmorative polo shirts are ordered. It's sure to be a brilliant festival yet again. And if real ale is your thing, well of course, we've just the book for you...

In 'Hops and Glory', author Pete Brown goes back to the original India Pale Ale - pure gold in a glass; a semi-mythical beer specially invented, in the 19th century, to travel halfway around the world, through storms and tropical sunshine, and arrive in perfect condition for a long, cold drink on an Indian verandah.

For the first time in 140 years, a keg of Burton IPA has been brewed with the original recipe for a voyage to India by canal and tall ship, around the Cape of Good Hope; carried by Pete. Brazilian pirates and Iranian customs officials lie ahead, but will he even make it that far, having fallen in the canal just a few miles out of Burton? And if Pete does make it to the other side of the world with 'Barry' the barrel, one question remains: what will the real IPA taste like? Weaving first-class travel writing with assured comedy, "Hops and Glory" is both a rollicking, raucous history of the Raj and a wonderfully entertaining, groundbreaking experiment to recreate the finest beer ever produced.

It's the perfect accompaniment to the Real Ale Festival! Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, 23 September 2010

I love these diaries. They've room for everything and are always absolutely stunning. Every year since the shop opened we've had the diaries in stock, and every year we've completely sold out. (Which is no wonder really, they're fantastic).

This year we've a new design or two on the shelves, and we have a whole range of sizes and formats available too. They make great gifts for that one friend or relative who already has everything, and a few have already found their way to good homes this year. So if you're planning on giving one as a gift for Christmas then you'd better make sure you pop in and pick one up before they're all gone!

Friday, 17 September 2010

(...it happens sometimes), and I loved it. It's just published this month and we now have a copy or two in the shop... but I had a sneaky wee read a few weeks ago - I was given an advance copy you see, from a publishing friend (oh the privileges!) 'You'll pure love this one', she said. And I did.

The book is 'The Method Actor's Guide to Jekyll and Hyde' by Kevin MacNeil. Great title. Set in Edinburgh it centres around Robert - actor, lovelorn egotist, and bike crash victim. After being unceremoniously knocked off his bike by an Edinburgh bus he returns to his life, his love, and his starring role in an upcoming version of Jekyll and Hyde - only to find everything has changed. Things aren't quite how he left them and life seems to be playing tricks. A '...dark comic thriller with a supernatural edge...' right enough!! Read it yourself to find out all... more specifically, buy it here!

Monday, 13 September 2010

This week is the Big Roman Week across Falkirk District! It takes place to mark the birthday of Emperor Antoninus Pius who built his Roman frontier across Falkirk district. And as usual Bo'ness is getting in to the spirit of things!

A full programme of events has been planned around the town, and from appearances by the Antonine Guard to themed activities for the kids; a screening of 'Asterix' at the Hippodrome to a consultation on the Bridgeness Roman Slab project there's definitely something for everyone. See what happened last year...

At Bo'ness Library on September 15th, Geoff Bailey, Keeper of Archaeology and Local History will be giving a talk on the town's Roman history entitled "Life on the Frontier: Kinneil Fortlet and Carriden Fort". The talk starts at 2.15pm and tickets priced £1 are available from the library.

We've leaflets detailing the full week's programme in the shop for you to pick up, and don't forget to read up on the town's Roman history before you go! We have a selection of local history books in stock including 'The Antonine Wall' by David J. Breeze.

Monday, 6 September 2010

This weekend, September 11th and 12th is the 2010 Bo'ness Hill Climb Revival meeting in the grounds of Kinneil House. This event has been running for a few years now and seems to get bigger and better each time. For 2010 as well as the amazing array of classic cars, for the first time in 50 years motorbikes will be competing too! It's definitely worth a visit.

In the shop, we have Kenny Baird's wonderful book 'Bo'ness Hill Climb' £8.99 (paperback) as well as many other local interest, and motorsports books. So if you're in town for the event remember to pop in for a browse.

Thursday, 2 September 2010

Just a note to let you know that for one day only, the shop will close at 11.45am on Saturday 4th September as we're off selling books elsewhere for the afternoon! We'll be back open as normal on Monday morning though and hope to see you then!
Apologies for any inconvenience!